Virginia Board for with DisabilitiesBoard Meeting Minutes

June 7, 2017

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities held its regular quarterly meeting on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 4700 South Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT : Curtis Andrews, Theresa Casselman, Korinda Rusinyak, Charles Meacham, Randy Burak, Michael Carrasco, Angela Sadsad, Matthew Shapiro, Vicki Beatty, Deanna Parker, Ethel Parris Gainer, Richard Kriner, ex officio, Ronald Lanier (VDDHH), Donna J. Lockwood, Rachel Loughlin, Mary McAdam, Alexis Nichols, Melissa Gibson, Summer Sage, Ann Bevan, Kathleen Vaughan, Philip Caldwell, John Eisenberg (VDOE), Donna Gilles, Traci LaGanke, Allison Coles-Johnson, Atima Omara, Jamie Snead, Rick Mitchell, Caroline Raker, Rose Williams, Ed Turner

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Carina Elgin, Felicia Hamilton, Stephen Joseph, John Kelly, Marisa Laios, Cindy Rudy, Travis Webb

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION:Sheree Hillard, Community Options Specialist, Region 4 Community Operations, Housing, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, gave a luncheon presentation on Integrated Housing Options for People with Disabilities, highlight the Department’s work with the target population of the DOJ Settlement Agreement. Ms. Hilliard responded to questions from members.

Mr. Charles Meacham, Board Chair, recognized outgoing Board members Rose Williams, Felicia Hamilton, Matthew Shapiro, Angela Yong West, Stephen Joseph. He thanked them for the contributions and presented them with a plaque and certificate. Ms. Heidi Lawyer, Executive Director recognized Charles Meacham, whose term is also up, thanking him for his contributions and commending the effectiveness of their work together and presented him with a plaque and certificate. Mr. Meacham spoke to the Board about how valuable his time on the Board had been and thanked the Board members and the staff for all of their hard work.

CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Board Chair, Charles Meacham called the meeting to order at 12:45 pm. He thanked the luncheon speakers again and reviewed the Housekeeping notes. He reminded the Board that Ann Bevan had replaced Terri Smith on the Board as the Department of Medical Assistance Services representative. Mr. Meacham thanked the Board for their work in helping to solicit applicants for the Partners in Policymaking program, and noted the excellent outcome of 54 applications. He informed that Board that Capitol Day for the PIP Class of 2018 would be on November 4 and he encouraged Board members to attend Capitol Day and the PIP Graduation.

APPROVAL OF MARCH 15, 2017 BOARD MINUTES: The Chair asked if there were any changes to the March Board Meeting minutes. Ms. Theresa Casselman and Ms. Korinda Rusinyak both asked for the minutes to be amended to reflect their attendance. The Chair called for a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes with corrections. Ed Turner made a MOTION to APPROVE the March 2017 Board Meeting minutes, and Donna Lockwood seconded the MOTION. The MOTION carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.

REPORT OF THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE AND VOTE ON SLATE OF OFFICERS: Ron Lanier, Chair of the Nominations Committee thanked Donna Lockwood and Angela Yong West for their service on the committee and reviewed the nominations. Mr. Charles Meacham asked if there were nominations from the floor. There were none. Mr. Meacham called for a vote on the Slate which was approved unanimously. The new officers and at large members will be Mary McAdam, Chair; Phil Caldwell, Vice Chair; Rachel Loughlin Secretary; Alexis Nichols, At large; Ethel Parris Gainer, At large, and Ed Turner, At large. Mr. Meacham reminded the Board that the new Chair would appoint the Standing Committee Chairs who would also serve on the Executive Committee.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTMr. Charles Meacham asked if there were questions on the Executive Committee report. He reported on the items covered in the agenda and noted that there had been significant discussion of the President’s budget proposal regarding DD Councils like the Board and that Ms. Lawyer would address that in the budget portion of meeting.

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT & STATE PLAN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEEVice Committee Chair Ms. Mary McAdam and Jason Withers reported out.

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS EXPENDITURES/MONITORING: Mr. Jason Withers discussed grants and contract expenditures for four projects: 1) The Virginia NICU Early Intervention Collaborative through the Virginia Hospital Research & Education Foundation (VHREF). 2) The Development of Adult Curriculum on Critical Decision-Making Points for Students with Disabilities project through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). 3) The Improving Transportation Planning in Cities and Counties to Increase Access to Community-Based Healthcare through the disAbility Law Center of Virginia and 4) the Increasing Access to Disability Resources in non-English Languages through The Arc of Northern Virginia. These projects and expenditures were referenced in Attachment ISP 3-2.

UPDATE ON LETTERS OF INTEREST (LOIs) FOR COMPETITIVE RFPs: Mr. Withers advised that thirteen LOIs were received, in connection with the Board’s Competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) documents – Creating Inclusive Communities – Phase II and Strengthening Self-Advocacy in Virginia. The Grant Review Team (GRT) met on May 23, 2017 to discuss thirteen LOIs and of the thirteen reviewed, the GRT selected four to submit full proposals. Full proposals are due by July 24, 2017, at 4:00PM. The GRT will convene in August to discuss the proposals and make funding recommendations. At the September 13, 2017 Board Meeting, the funding recommendations will be presented to the full Board for approval. A motion will be needed to approve.

VACIL – ABLE GRANT SUMMARY REPORT: Mr. Tom Vandever with the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL), along with Ms. Gayl Brunk, VACIL President and Mr. Jeffrey Taylor of Cross Platform Design, LLC provided an end-of grant presentation on the Advocates Building Livable Environments (ABLE) project. The primary purpose of the ABLE project was to increase the active knowledge and implementation of the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines among Virginia building professionals and building code officials. Mr. Vandever explained that in order to provide the needed training, 500 flash drives were created, which contained e-learning modules on 12 core areas, several game based scenarios, as well as PDF versions of the Accessibility Reference Manual, the Fair Housing Design Manual and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Since April of 2016, over 350 building professionals, code officials and Centers for Independent Living (CIL) advocates have been provided training on the modules and related reference material. All training materials will be available online via the VACIL website for ease of access.

VAULT TRAINING:Executive Director Ms. Heidi Lawyer discussed that because the GRT did not advance any of the received LOIs in connection with the Strengthening Self-Advocacy in Virginia RFP, she recommended the Board commit human resources to the Virginia Advocates United Leading Together (VAULT) organization, in an effort to satisfy our Self-Advocacy State Plan Objective 2.4.1. This would involve direct training to members of VAULT by Ms. Lawyer and Mr. Richard Kriner on organizational management aspects such as bylaws, taking minutes, and soliciting new members. ISP Committee members agreed with this recommendation.

2017-2021 STATE PLAN UPDATES AND DISCUSSION:Ms. Nia Harrison discussed highlights of the 2nd Quarter updates to the 2017-2021 State Plan. Ms. Harrison also discussed that the next State Plan Update was due to the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) by January 1, 2018. Attachments ISP 5-1 through 5-20 were referenced.

For the full details, see the ISP Committee meeting minutes for June 7, 2017, at https://www.vaboard.org/boardmeetings.htm

REPORT OF THE POLICY, RESEARCH & EVALUATION COMMITTEECommittee Chair Ms. Summer Sage reported that:

Summer Sage, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: Summer Sage reviewed the agenda and relevant discussion from the Executive Committee Meeting.

BOARD POLICY ACTIVITIES: John Cimino, Director of Public Policy, reviewed policy activities for the Second Quarter of 2017.

SFY 2018 ASSESSMENT TOPICS: The Committee discussed the Disability Assessment topics that remain to be covered in the next three fiscal years, and the selection of topics to be covered in SFY 2018. The remaining topics include Housing, Transportation, Medicaid, Healthcare, Early Intervention, Institutions, and Community Living. There was a lively discussion about the focus of future assessments, especially focused on the Community Living and Institutions Assessments. The Committee RECOMMENDED by unanimous vote that the full board adopt Housing and Transportation as the next Assessment topics. The MOTION from the Committee did not require a second. The MOTION carried unanimously by voice vote.

GENERAL POLICY UPDATE:John Cimino briefly discussed ongoing and emerging policy developments at the state and national level.

Summer Sage adjourned the meeting at 11:30 AM.

For the full details, see the PRE Committee meeting minutes for June 7, 2017, at the board's website.

REPORT OF THE ADVOCACY OUTREACH AND TRAINING COMMITTEECommittee Chair Randy Burak reported that:

The meeting was called to order at 9:33 a.m. and Dr. Penni Sweetenburg-Lee, Training Programs Manager, and Ms. Nia Harrison, Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, provided the Committee with the Board’s Alumni Development Program

2018 Plan and Evaluation update. They highlighted the program activities, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.

The Committee then reviewed/discussed the FFY 2017 State Plan Goals and Objectives. Dr. Sweetenburg-Lee updated the Committee on the Partners in Policymaking (PIP) and Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) training programs. She announced that the Board’s training programs’ department would like to recommend several revisions to the Youth Leadership Forum, including 1) a change in name, 2) eligibility requirements, and 3) technology enhancements. Following positive discussion, Mr. Burak made a MOTION for the Committee to approve/disapprove that the recommendation be presented to the full Board. Ms. Traci LaGanke made a MOTION to approve the recommendation and Ms. Korinda Rusinyak SECONDED the MOTION. The MOTION carried and the recommendation was approved by the Committee to be presented to the overall Board.

Mr. Benjamin Jarvela, Communications Director, updated the Committee on the Board’s communication activities, including the success of the Board’s rebrand and website relaunch. He also highlighted that the Board’s assessments on education and employment were in the process of being printed and would soon be distributed to all members of the General Assembly.

Mr. Burak MOTIONED for the meeting to adjourn 11:25 a.m. The MOTION was SECONDED and APPROVED.

For the full details, see the AOT Committee meeting minutes for June 7, 2017, at the Board's website.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF STATE FISCAL YEAR 2018 BUDGET. Mr. Meacham asked Ms. Lawyer to review for the Board what was happening with the federal budget. Ms. Lawyer stated that she did not have further information other than what had been provided to the Board but spoke about the President’s budget which eliminates funding for DD Councils like the Board and combines the DD Councils into a new program with the Statewide Independent Living Council and the State Traumatic Brain Injury Grants. Ms. Lawyer provided the information she knew regarding this proposal as well as the action that NACDD and other national organizations were taking and actions the state was taking. She shared a DD Council impact sheet developed by the agency for Virginia’ Congressional delegation and a second graphic that denoted the important inter-relationships between the three DD Network agencies, the Board, the Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU, and the disAbility Law Center. The President’s proposed budget would remove the DD Councils from the DD Network. Mr. Meacham urged the Board members to advocate for keeping the DD Councils in the DD Network and to use the information to provide by the agency to meet with or call their legislators as private citizens to discuss the important work being performed by DD Councils like the Board and encourage that funding not be reduced.

Ms. Nan Pemberton reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the SFY 2018 budget. The presentation included information on the budget building blocks, differences between the state and federal fiscal year, budget items paid from state general vs. federal funds, and obligation and liquidation deadlines. She then presented the proposed SFY 2018 budget for the Board, noting that nearly all areas had been cut due to continuing flat funds for the Board. She reported that the agency had used the FFY 2017 federal allotment as a basis assuming that funds would remain the same. Should there be a change in the allotment then the budget would need to be redeveloped. Ms. Pemberton reported that the state had provided a 3% increase in salaries to staff which also affected the budget. In addition, there was a budget “savings” both this year and next to the state which amounts to a reduction in state General funds received by the Board. She reminded the Committee that funds not allotted flow through to fund the agency’s grants and contracts. The two categories which received budget increases are Partners in Policymaking, because a class is being held this year, and Alumni development which is in its 2nd year and needs additional staffing and support in order for the program to achieve its goals. Ms. The proposed SFY 18 budget is $1,481,709, $6,622 less than SFY 2017. Ms. Pemberton responded to questions from the Board regarding the budget. As a recommendation from the Executive Committee, a second was not required. The Chair asked for approval of the proposed SFY 2018 budget. The vote in favor of the budget was unanimous.

AGENCY REPORTS:

Kathleen Vaughan, agency representative Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS):

NO WRONG DOOR LAUNCH On April 12th, Senator Mark Warner and the Honorable John Hager kicked off the public launch of Virginia’s No Wrong Door, the statewide public-private partnership which helps individuals with disabilities and older adults gain streamlined access to needed supports and services through a virtual network of resources. Senator Warner spoke at the event, which was held at the Library of Virginia and attended by Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Hazel as well as a key representative from the Administration for Community Living, Virginia’s federal partner, and many No Wrong Door partner agencies and community stakeholders. The 100th No Wrong Door partner was announced at the event.

DARS recognizes the work of the Resource Advisory Council (RAC), the state-level policy and decision-making body for No Wrong Door, to move this initiative forward in Virginia in preparation for the launch. A new statewide No Wrong Door website was launched, featuring an interactive map to locate No Wrong Door partners in your community. The website presents information to four target audiences: individual consumers, providers, communities and funders.

The No Wrong Door website can be accessed by clicking on this website.

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is a member of the RAC and served on the website development group.

CPID Industrial Roundtable.Wilson Workforce Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) successfully hosted the first Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities (CPID) Industrial Roundtable. Partnering with the Virginia Manufacturers Association, WWRC hosted CPID representatives from Nebraska, Kentucky and Georgia, along with their business partners, during the three day event, to discuss workforce development with an emphasis on manufacturing. WWRC and its staff provided tours of Medical Services and labs, Vocational Evaluation, Materials Handling, Forklift Training, Production and Assembly and Manufacturing Technology training areas. The Food Service Training consumers provided fabulous treats. The CPID program is being developed collaboratively with DBVI to serve individuals with disabilities. CPID continues to grow as a pathway connecting education and training strategies with support services to enable individuals to earn certifications and find employment in an occupational area and to advance in a particular field.

Vocational Rehabilitation. The month of May showed a solid rebound from April in many performance metrics for the VR Program. As of June 5, 2017, we have 312 successful closures for the month, which is 40 higher than last year's total at the same point in time. This keeps us well ahead of the pace for the previous year. Our target of 4,000 closures in FFY17 is predicted. We had a rehabilitation rate in May of 57% with over 850 new plans signed. Earnings were very good at $11.35 mean hourly for the month, and $9.05 median – meeting performance expectations.

PROJECT SEARCHDARS is also busy with Project SEARCH graduations around the state. In almost 20 locations, more than 100 youngsters with disabilities are completing internships in hospitals and one large meeting center. Since September, our students have discovered new skills and developed colleagues on their path to careers. More than 80% of these youngsters continue on a pathway to employment as a result of this innovative collaboration between health systems, local schools, local partners and DARS.Project SEARCH offers internships to young adults with disabilities in their final year of high school. The Manassas Project SEARCH interns were invited to serve as activity leaders in the Manassas Park Special Olympics. The students mentored athletes from 10 schools ranging from elementary to high school and also were put in charge of four of the event’s 11 stations.

A new Project SEARCH research site for the 2017-18 school year will be held at Fort Eustis for military-dependent transition students with autism. This is only the second time that a Project SEARCH program has been located on-base to serve young people with autism who are military dependents. DARS and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) are developing the site, along with area school systems to examine the impact of

Project SEARCH in employment, wages, hours worked, social responsiveness, anxiety/depression and quality of life. This is a link to an article featuring SEARCH success.

Ann Bevan, agency representative, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS):

2017 General Assembly & State Budget

On April 28th of this year Governor McAuliffe signed the budget (HB 1500) and submitted his final changes to the General Assembly.

Requires DMAS & DBHDS to collect information and feedback related to payments to family homes and the impact of changes to the rates on family homes statewide from sponsored residential providers, VNPP, VA CSB, Va Sponsored Residential Provider Group, and family home providers

Requires DBHDS & DMAS to convene an annual stakeholder’s workgroup on issues related to the SIS, support levels, reimbursement tiers and communication about these issues. Both departments have begun working to organize the initial meeting of this workgroup.

HCBS Final RuleOn May 9, 2017, CMS issued an informational bulletin informing states that it will extend the transition period for states to demonstrate compliance with the home and community based settings criteria until March 17, 2022 for settings in which a transition period applies. CMS encourages states to maintain their current timeline to the degree possible and to rigorously continue assessment and remediation activities.Please note that the transition period for HCBS compliance is for currently operating settings only. New settings are required to be fully HCBS compliant prior to providing Medicaid HCBS. New settings are NOT eligible for a transition period to demonstrate compliance.

The provider self-assessment will be conducted using a secure web-based portal. Providers will be notified that they can access the portal and complete the self-assessment in late May/early June 2017. Each provider will have unique log-in credentials. Providers will have approximately four weeks to complete and submit the provider self-assessment for each setting where HCBS services are provided.

DOJ SettlementDMAS continues to collaborate with DBHDS in implementing terms of the DOJ Settlement Agreement. Case Management in particular has been a recent focus for the settlement monitor over the last several months. DMAS staff are working with DBHDS staff to review what data and quality evaluation of case management DMAS collects related to case management and how this can be used to evaluate changes and improvements in case management.

Waiver Operations

DMAS has received feedback from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the four “Evidence Reports” that were submitted several weeks ago. These documents report to CMS on the Commonwealth’s progress in meeting CMS waiver assurances and are necessary for waiver renewals. The four reports are for the Alzh. Assisted Living, Technology Assisted, Day Support and Developmental Disability waivers. (As they are retrospective in nature I have included the former titles of the waivers.)

DMAS, in collaboration with DBHDS is responding to CMS’s questions, comments and requests.

Waiver Redesign

DMAS is working with DBHDS on continued implementation of the three waiver redesign. Current work is focusing on drafting final regulations and a new unified provider manual for all three DD waivers. Significant progress has been made on both the final regulations and the provider manual.

Consumer Directed Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)

CMS has mandated the use of EVV beginning in 2019. DMAS has begun discussions with EVV vendors and is developing talking points, gather from other states on best practices in use of these systems, mandatory vs voluntary us, agency and/or consumer directed use. Information will be made available as the project proceeds. One clear message from other states is that the roll out of these systems takes significant time and that consumer directed is a more challenging roll out in that autonomy is critical and times are often directed by the consumer.

Overtime for Attendants – Department of Labor

Effective July 1, 2016, by directive of the General Assembly overtime is no longer paid for any single attendant who works more than 40 hours per week for a single consumer (employer). Questions and Answers have been posted on the DMAS website, letters to individuals impacted have been sent by the Fiscal/Employer Agent, PPL, and data to understand the number impacted has been gathered. Live in attendants may work any number of hours and do not receive overtime pay per the federal Department of Labor Ruling. All other attendants may work only 40 hours per a single individual. Please watch the website for additional details. DMAS is aware of advocates and stakeholders requests for an “exceptions” process authority for which was not provided by the General Assembly.

Rate Increases

Several rates were increased as a result of General Assembly actions this year and were communicated and made effective July 1, 2016.

Slots

The most recent conference budget has made some changes to the number of waiver slots.

Budget reduced CL slots from 415 to 180 in 2017 Budget increased FIS slots from 25 to 344 in 2017

DMAS is currently drafting the slot amendments to CMS to reflect these changes (slot amendments have not yet been submitted)

Reference budget language for more information:

DDDD. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend the 1915 (c) home-and-community based Community Living waiver to add 390 slots effective July 1, 2016 and an additional 180 slots effective July 1, 2017. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall seek federal approval for necessary changes to the waiver to add the additional slots.

EEEE.1. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend the Family and Individual Support waiver to add 140 new slots effective July 1, 2016 and an additional 344 slots effective July 1, 2017. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall seek federal approval for necessary changes to the waiver to add the additional slots.

There continue to be emergency reserve slots which may be created across the waivers for individuals with disabilities for emergencies, individuals transferring between waivers and individuals transitioning from an ICF or state nursing facility to the community.

Studies

DMAS and DBHDS are part of a workgroup for HB 1426 which passed the General Assembly this year. This legislation tasks DBHDS and DCJS to create a workgroup and come up with a comprehensive model for the use of alternative transportation providers to provide safe and efficient transportation of individuals involved in the emergency custody or involuntary admission process as an alternative to transportation by law enforcement. The model must be completed and submitted to the Joint Subcommittee for Mental Health Services by October 1, 2017. The workgroup has met twice already.

At the directive of the General Assembly DMAS convened a work group of stakeholders including the DARS and dementia service providers and advocacy organizations to review the Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Waiver to determine if it could be modified to meet the 2014 CMS Home and Community Based Services final rule requirements and create a plan to ensure that current waiver individuals continue to receive services and address the needs of those with dementia who are currently eligible. The report has been submitted with four recommendations. DMAS will seek approval by CMS to “phase out” slots as individuals leave the waiver. The waiver will sunset in July of 2018.

Ron Lanier, Director, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH):

Videophones in Public LibrariesAs previously reported, VDDHH, through the Statewide Interagency Team (SIT), has been working on an initiative to place videophones in public libraries across the Commonwealth. This project is in keeping with VDDHH’s mission of reducing communication barriers, as it will greatly enhance communication access for users of sign language in areas where the required high speed internet access is often unavailable or unaffordable. I am pleased to report that the VDDHH Outreach Manager coordinated and oversaw the first two installations at the Abingdon and Pulaski libraries. Other installations are being scheduled across the Commonwealth, as we speak.

Staff/RecruitmentThe retitled “TAP (Technology Assistance Program) Specialist Coordinator” position and its core responsibilities have been updated to support TAP and oversee the ‘TAP Specialists.’ We conducted recruitment and, from that pool of applicants, interviewed five candidates. Unfortunately, the top two candidates, for various reasons, withdrew their applications. We have since reposted the position and anticipate filling it this summer.

In addition, changes were made in the Outreach Program and renaming it Community Services, and adding a new position to support the Community Services Program Manager. This position is also currently being posted, with a national recruitment campaign underway. Like the TAP position, the goal is also to fill the Community Services position this summer.

Open House-Save The DateIn celebration of its 45th Anniversary and Deaf Awareness Week, VDDHH is planning to host an Open House on the afternoon of Friday, September 29th and the morning of Saturday, September 30th, 2017. More details will be made available as plans develop.

Deanna Parker, agency representative, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS):

DBHDS Independent Housing Outcomes TableFebruary 2017

Waiver Slot ReportAs of May 18, 2017, there were 12,545 individuals on all three waivers.

Waiver Type Number of IndividualsCL 10,971FIS 1,333BI 241DD Waivers Combined Waiting List 11,208Priority 1 2,909Priority 2 4,854Priority 3 3,867Unknown 2

VA Training Center Census as of 6/5/2017Name of TC Previous Week

CensusPrevious Week Census

Previous Week Census

6/5/

2017

6/5/

2017

6/5/

2017

ICF/IID NF Total ICF/IID NF Total

CVTC *** 148 0 148 148 0 148

NVTC 0 0

SEVTC 72 72

SVTC 0 0

Name of TC Previous Week Census

Previous Week Census

Previous Week Census

6/5/

2017

6/5/

2017

6/5/

2017

SWVTC 72 71

TOTAL 292 291

Housing Information SessionsThe Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ (DBHDS) Housing Specialist staff have conducted housing information sessions across the state to help individuals in the settlement agreement population access independent housing in the community with supports. Additional dates for these sessions are being scheduled and will be available on the DBHDS website under the Community Supports tab. DD Waivers Update As a follow up to the statewide information sessions, the Regional Supports Unit (RSU) will

be posting a self-guided Individual and Family Respondent Training to the DBHDS website. The customized rate amendments (CL and FIS waivers) were approved on 5/25 and DBHDS

and DMAS are working to get the application and review processes up and running. Amendments are currently being developed for submission to CMS to request federal

financial participation for the FY18 slots for the three waivers. The projected slots for this fiscal year are CL: 80, FIS: 344, BI: 60. WSACs are prepared to allocate these when they become available.

The DD waivers regulations have nearly completed their review at DMAS and will then head to the Office of the Attorney General for review.

There are 496 more SIS’s to be scheduled so that an Ascend-completed SIS will be done for all individuals currently enrolled in the DD waivers. This should be accomplished by June 30th.

IFSPThe next IFSP funding period will begin after July 1, 2017. Starting in early June, please check the DBHDS website periodically for funding updates. The IFSP Council has finalized its State and Regional Council Charters and drafted its State Plan which will be shared with stakeholders through webinar, conference presentations and stakeholder meetings. All documents will be voted upon by the council at their July meeting.

*Settlement Agreement Population: (1) individuals currently residing at any of the Commonwealth’s training centers, (2) individuals who meet the criteria for the Developmental Disability Waivers (includes individuals who currently have BI, FIS or CL waivers), or (3) individuals who currently reside in a nursing home or ICF-IDD. Own Home- Non-provider owned or operated housing that is leased or owned by an individual in the target population. Rental Assistance Set-aside- Rental assistance made available for individuals in the target population.

Application/Voucher Intake/Housing Search Process- Individuals in the target population have been referred to a PHA and are completing a program application and submitting required documentation; 2) the individual has submitted an application and associated documents that are under review by the PHA determine program eligibility; 3) the individual has received rental assistance and is actively looking for housing.

John Eisenberg, agency representative, Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)

The Virginia Board of Education is in the process of making significant changes to the Standards of Accreditation.

Materials and presentations can be viewed at:

DoE: Updated SOA Parts 1-7

Doe: Updated SOA Part 8

The Virginia Board of Education is the process of developing the state plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The state plan will be due to the U.S. Department of Education in September.

Materials and presentations can be viewed at:

Doe: ESSA 04Apr

DoE: ESSA 05May

The Virginia Department of Education awarded the statewide IEP system to Public Consulting Group (PCG). VDOE has identified 20 local school divisions and state-operated programs to serve as pilots for year 1. 6 of the 20 divisions had no local electronic IEP system. This system will be voluntary and is provided at no cost to the local school division.

The 11th annual I’m Determined Youth Advocacy and Parent Summit will be held on June 14-17 at James Madison University. Over 100 youth and youth leaders and their families will be in attendance.

Autism Center for Excellence at VCU is announcing their new division cohorts for long term technical assistance.

Significant professional development institutes will happen this summer including:

Co-teaching Academy Adapted Physical Education Academy Content Academies with Instruction Office Inclusive Best Practice Academy Early Childhood, Early Intervention, and Preschool Conference Traumatic Brain Injury team training UEB training for STEM code

Rick Mitchell, Deputy Commissioner, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI):

The DBVI Business Relations Unit is developing and maintaining relationships with our many partners across the state. Economic Development offices statewide have allowed individuals to participate in work experiences, informational interviews and in some localities have received training in orientation and mobility. They have also paved the way for employer introductions and meetings, as well as presentations from the Business Unit on DBVI Services for Business and Disability Awareness and Etiquette training. The Business Relations Unit is also working closely in identifying federal contractors, who could benefit from training and a partnership surrounding 503c.

DBVI Business Relations Specialist co-facilitates a weekly Federal Job Club with the DARS Alexandria office Job Placement Counselor. A number of DBVI clients have been successfully hired into federal jobs through the job club. DBVI clients are now working at agencies such as Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington Headquarters, Department of Transportation, and the US Customs and Border Protection. Because of the team effort between DBVI and DARS, both agencies are having wonderful success with exceptional career placements.

DBVI Paid Work ExperienceThe DBVI Paid Work Experience is continuing to see much success. We have had an increase in college students either who have graduated or are upcoming seniors participating. Some of the recent placements were at James Madison University, University of Virginia and this summer a law student will participating in an internship in the Attorney’s Generals office.

The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired in Richmond, Virginia is simultaneously conducting two Pre-Employment Transition Services programs this summer. The first program is entitled, Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered (“LIFE”) program – July 9 - August 11, 2017

LIFE is a five-week long residential training program for high school age blind, deafblind, and vision impaired youth that provides basic training in the skills of blindness and helps students become responsible for their lives. The program helps students explore their employment goals while providing opportunities to gain real world work experience. Students participate in physical fitness and confidence building activities and develop positive attitudes about blindness. Students also participate in a three week community based work experience during the last three weeks of the program. The second program is entitled, Learning Excellence in Academics Program (“LEAP”) – July 9 - August 10, 2017

LEAP is a 5-week collaborative program with Virginia Commonwealth University that gives rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to assess their college-readiness skills. Classes are taught by college professors and/or graduate

students and are graded according to collegiate standards. This program enhances awareness of the academic and blindness-related demands of college and gives students the opportunity to evaluate their ability to manage time and priorities. 9 participants accepted thus far.

Through the Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities grant that DBVI and DARS have, the agency is conducting a Dream it. Do it. Robotics and Cyber Academy that will be held June 25-30 for students with disabilities served by both DBVI and DARS. DBVI is working with the National Integrated Cyber Education and Research Center to take curriculum used for camps in Virginia public schools and make it completely accessible for students with disabilities. Twenty-five students with disabilities who are rising sophomores through graduating seniors in the 2016-2017 school year from across the state have been accepted into the academy. The academy will be held at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired in Richmond. The one week training program will culminate in a showcase luncheon with awards. The Robotics and Cyber Academy will be the first fully accessible academy offered that aligns with public school robotics programs offered by the Virginia Department of Education through summer camps in public school systems.

Melissa Gibson, agency representative, Disability Law Center of Virginia (DLCV):

2017 Legislative HighlightsdLCV initiated work on a project, funded by a grant from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, to identify barriers to access to community-based healthcare for people with disabilities who utilize public transportation. dLCV is creating survey tools and establishing meetings and trainings with community partners in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, and Loudoun County to recognize ADA violations that prevent people with disabilities from accessing community-based healthcare using fixed-route, as opposed to paratransit, public transportation. dLCV has received an enthusiastic response from its partners, and has already started surveying barriers, and expects surveying and community training to be ongoing in all four communities by July, 2017. dLCV released its annual report, Time for Justice, in early April. The report highlights dLCV’s work in fiscal year 2016 and contains detailed data on agency activities and outcomes.dLCV released a report on deaths at Central Virginia Training Center and its advocacy efforts with the facility administration on the prevention and detection of urinary tract infections. This report is the result of data analysis conducted by dLCV as a result of patterns identified in critical incidents, and is an example of how it might utilize community incident reporting data to identify trends across the service system.

Annual Public Input Survey

Please complete dLCV’s annual public input survey, now available at dLCV.org. Paper copies and alternative formats are available upon request. This helps dLCV choose which issues to focus on in the upcoming year. Public input is critical to the

development and refinement of goals and objectives, which are adopted annually and form the basis of dLCV’s case selection criteria and advocacy projects.

Please also visit dLCV.org or follow us on Facebook for current information on happenings at dLCV and a calendar of public events.

OTHER BUSINESS: There was none.

ADJOURNMENT: Board Chair Charles Meacham called for other business. There being none, the Chair proceeded with closing comments and reminded board members to complete the Evaluation Forms, Committee Survey Forms, and to ensure their directory information is accurate. The meeting was then adjourned at 3:50 pm.